Yarn-conditioning mechanism



F. E. STRUVE CONDITIONING MECHANISM Aug.. M3, i929.

YARN

Filed Feb. 18. 1928 Pradera/f E/Wnmm Ve,

INI/EN TOR,

ATTORNEYS. l

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Patented Aug, 13, 1929.

' UNITED STATES 1,724,230 PATENT, OFFICE.

FREDERICK ELWOOI) STRUVE, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNR T0TEXTILE MACHINE WORKS, 0F WYOMISSING, PENNSYLVANIA., A CORPORATION 0FPENNSYLVANIA.

YARN-CONDITIONING MECHANISM.

Application filed February 18, 1928. Serial No. 255,381.

My invention relates to means for conditioning yarn preparatory to itsfabrication, and more particularly to a device and process for thispurpose arranged to act directly on the passing yarn as it is fed ,tothe machine; my main objects being to produce an improved and simplifiedcoudi-y tiener which may form a convenient inachine attachment, providefor its proper insulation so as to avoid heat radiation, and insure amore effective treatment through a simultaneous subjection ofthe passingyarn to the direct action of a steam jet and the wiping action of asaturated fabric strip.

With these main objects in View, and with others that will appear as thedescription progresses, my invention consists of the new process andimproved structure'for conditioning yarn as more fully described in thefollowing/specification in connection with the drawings accompanying thesaine and forming part thereof, the novel features being pointed out inthe subjoined claims.

Fig. l is a plan view, with the cover re.- nioved, ofa preferred form ofconditioningtank embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a corresponding side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figs. 1and 2. and show- :ing the tank cover in position thereon.

Fig. d is a partial longitudinal sectional- View on the line 4-4 of Fig.3.

The conditioning of yarn, particularly when formed of natural silk, is arecognized prerequisite to its proper fabrication. Such conditioningcommonly involves subjecting the yarn to the action of steam for thepurpose of rendering it more pliable or flexible and the resultantfabric softer and "more agreeable to the wearer, and has been effectedeither in bulk, with inherent inequalities in the inner and outerwindings of the usual cones or cops, or on the passing strand .in itsfeed passage to the knitting machine or the like. My present inventionis particularly adapted to the treatment ofthe yarn during its passageto the fabricating machine, though obviously applicable to the strandsduring a winding operation.

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of my device particularlydesigned as a readily applied .attachment to the upper frame of a fullfashioned knitting machine .ears or lugs 9 for its convenient attachmentto the machine frame; though obviously it may be shorter or longerdepending upon the number of individual yarns to be'siniulo taneouslyconditioned.

To prevent heat radiation with result-ing waste and objectionableincrease of room temperature, I preferably form the tank 5 with spacedwalls as shown, providing an insulating chamber 5a which may loe filled,1f desired, with a non-conducting material such as magnesium or thelike; and also form the lid 6 in a similar manner with an msulatingchamber 6a.

Within the tank 5 is mounted a longitudinally extending steam pipe l0having upwardly directed spaced jet apertures l1, and a supply pipe l2projected through the tank wall and properly fitted thereto to forni awater tight connection, the outer end 13 of said supply pipe beingthreaded for con nection to a steam supply line. The tank 5 is alsoprovided with an outlet pipe Lt projected through the bottom wallthereof and suitably fitted to forma water tight connection, the innerend thereof preferably extending upwardly into said tank, as shown, tomaintain a determined liquid level of the steam condensation. The tank 5is further provided with a plurality of alined yarn guide apertures 15,15, in the side walls thereof as shown above the jet apertures, and ataproper height with relation to the latter so that each yarn passingtransversely through said tank will extend directly above. a steam jetaperture 11 as indicated, to receive the treating action of the steamtherefrom.

To improve such conditioning action of the steam jet on the passing yarnso as to more effectively treat the latter, I employ, as shown, a seriesof bridge platesl 16, 16, 16, transversely mounted in the tank withtheir shape, dipping upper surface/s substantially alined with theyarnguide apertures 15, and each plate having a central elongated opening 17located directly above and close to a. jet aperture' 11, said openingpreferably having a downwardly extended flange 18.

These bridge plates form a support for the passing thread which latter,as indicated passes lengthwise over the opening 17 for direct action' ofthe steam from jet 11; and each of said platesalso carries a yarn wipingfabric strip 19, of absorbent material such as felt or the like, saidstrips rest-ing upon and covering the passing yarns and preferablyoverhanging the edges of said plates with their depending ends 20, 20,duly cut to receive the steam pipe 11 and fit the tank below the waterlevel maintained by outlet pipe 14, so that capillary attraction willkeep said strips in a saturated condition.

The action of such saturated felt strip 17,

resting upon lthe 'passing yarn, exerts a retarding tension on thelatter and insures its thorough moistening, and the flange 18surrounding the opening 17 beneath said cover 19 forms a. confiningchamber to hold the steam from jet 11v and insure thorough directsoaking' of the yarn passing across said opening. Such moistening of theyarn before the action of the direct steam, followed by further moistwiping produces an improved and more effective conditioning treatmentthan hitherto secured and insures a more flexible working yarn andsofter fabric.

The saturation of the strip 17 may be provided by the directcondensation of the steam impinging against the same without use of thedepending extensions 20, 20; or its saturation may be secured by adirectsupply of liquid thereto from an outside source. The thlckness ofthe fabric strip may be varied so as to increase or decrease itsretarding tension with resultant different moistening and wiping actionon the yarn. And instead of a series of bridge plates with individualfabric strips, a single long plate with a long covering fabric strip maybe used. Other modifications within the spirit of my inven- .tionmay-readily be devised, the essential novelty residing in the generalstructure disclosed providing for the novel process of conditioning thepassing yarn as specifically defined in the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. A yarn conditioning device comprising a liquid tank having ajet-apertured steam pipe therein, yarn passage-ways in the oppositewalls thereof above said apertured pipe, a thread supporting bridgeplate having its upper surface approximately in alinement Voppositewalls of with said passage-ways, and a. thread wiping fabric stripcarried by said bridge plate above the passing thread.

2. A yarn conditioning device comprising a liquid tank having ajet-apertured steam pipe therein, yarn-guide passage-ways in the saidtank above said apertured pipe, a centrally apertured thread-supportingbridge plate having its upper surface approximately in alinement withsaid passage-ways, and a thread wiping fabric strip on said bridge platecovering said plate aperture and passing yarn.

3. In a yarn conditioning ing a liquid tank, having in opposite wallsthereof, and a jet-apertured steam pipe; a thread-supporting bridgeplate arranged between said passage-ways with its upper surfaceapproximately alined with the latter and having an opening above saidsteam pipe, and a thread wiping fabric strip on said bridge platecovering said opening above the passing thread. In a yarn conditioningdevice comprising a liquid tank, having yarn passage-ways in oppositewalls thereof, and a jet-apertul'ed steam pipe; a thread-supportingbridge plate arranged between said passageways with its upper surfaceapproximately al ined with the latter and having an opening andsteam-confining flange above said steam pipe, and a thread wiping fabricstrip on said bridge plate forming a steam confining chamber above thepassing thread.

5. A yarn conditioning device comprising a liquid tank having alongitudinally extending steam pipe therein provided with a plurality ofjet apertures, a corresponding plurality of transverse yarn passage-waysin the opposing walls of said tank, above said steam pipe, an aperturedthread-supporting bridge plate between each of said opposed yarnpassage-ways, and a thread wiping fabric strip carried by each of saidbridge plates.

6. A yarn conditioning device comprising a covered and heat-insulatedliquid tank having a water level outlet pipeand a steam pipe' extendinglongitudinally therein and provided with a series of spaced jetapertures, a corresponding transverse series of yarn passage-ways in theopposing walls of said tank, thread-supporting bridge plates connectingsaid series of yarn passage-ways,

device comprisyarn passage-ways each'having a central opening anddepending flanges above the respective jetapertures, and a thread wipingfabric strip on each plate depending therefrom into the liquid.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FREDERICK ELWOOD STRUVE.

